The Walloons make up one of Belgium’s main ethnic groups, residing mainly in the southern region of Belgium known as Wallonia. The anthem, written in 1900 by Théophile Bovy in Walloon, was put to music in 1901. It gained popularity quickly and, in 1998 when the Walloon Parliament met to define the national symbols of Wallonia, including an anthem, “Li Tchant des Wallons” (as is its title in the Walloon language) was a natural choice. There was some controversy, however, in that, when the lyrics were chosen, it was not the original Walloon lyrics, but the French version of the lyrics, which differ from the original in verse order and in meaning in places. Normally only the first and third verses are performed.
Special thanks to: Keith Terrett for the music file.